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Biographical details

Natasha is an early career academic at the Faculty of Veterinary Science. After completing her PhD in equine genetics with Professor Raadsma's Reprogen group, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher for five years before becoming a lecturer in 2010. It is this position that has allowed her to combine her University work with her other love, the horseracing industry, which is now the focus of much of her research. Natasha's research interests include equine genetics and attrition in racehorses. Her research has been aided by her close links to the racing industry, as she has also been a casual raceday official for over 17 years. Current specific research interests include investigating the genetics of soundness in racehorses, identification of selective sweeps in Thoroughbreds, unravelling the DNA sequence of Phar Lap, investigation of factors contributing to epistaxis, and determining the genetics underlying unusual white markings in Australian racehorses. Natasha has supervised honours, masters and PhD students and is looking forward to setting up her own research group to continue to work closely with the racing industry in the future.

4BC, 3AW, Radio National Sport, ABC Radio Queensland, Perth and Melbourne, and regional media interviewed Dr Natasha Hamilton, Faculty of Veterinary Science, on her analysis of the DNA of the racehorse Phar Lap.

DNA analysis of a horseracing legend. A new chapter in the story of Phar Lap is about to be added by the University of Sydney as it leads an attempt to sequence the famous horse's DNA.For more information, please visit::- http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=11833

Brandon Velie, a PhD student under the co-supervision of Natasha has recently attracted media attention for their project "Proﬁling the careers of Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2010". The following link is a SMH article on their project.